Feel the (Good) Burn
I felt the burn at the gym yesterday–and apparently my chest has finally become something guys notice. Er, chest muscles that is. I’m still built like a 13-year-old boy.
After pressing 30lb dumbbells (a new PR!), I sat up and noticed the (significantly larger than me and in decent shape) guy on the bench next to me was looking my way. He was doing dumbbell presses as well. He looked at my 30lb weights, looked at his 40lbs weights, looked back at my weights, and said, “Well, fuck.” That’s me, Allie, putting guys to shame! You weigh twice as much as me but can only move 10lbs more? Heck yeah.
Feel the Burn (Out)
While I am damn proud of the weight I can move and the progress I’m seeing, that nutrition plan I follow? Err, I got a little burnt out this weekend. Turns out that thinking so strictly about food/meals/etc. is exhausting. But you know what? There’s wiggle room in every life, and I’m no bastion of perfection (nor do I want to be). Getting strong doesn’t require giving up the fun stuff.
Because sometimes you use your weekly “free meal” to eat a box (Yup, a box. Don’t let me near your cereal.) of gourmet banana-chocolate-chip granola. And then that cream cheese muffin at the Whole Food’s bakery is calling your name. And then it’s Saturday night and you could make a real meal, but instead you get your carbs in liquid form. And there is nothing wrong with any of that. Balance. I’m working on it…
Feel the (Real) Burn
It turns out ovens are hot. Go figure.
Ouch. I blame it on a surprisingly heavy pan of squash. Yes, I lift weights, yes, a pan of squash was heavy enough to make me knock my arm into the oven door. Let’s not judge…
How do you balance eating right/thinking right?
Do you like showing up the boys? In whatever category you choose! Video games, academics, inappropriate commentary…let me know how you knock ‘em dead!
Girl, you crack me up!! Boo, I wish I could meet you in real life.. but until than, I’ll just have to pretend that I know you.
Haha, it may be awhile before I make it to Kuwait, but if I ever do, you better believe there’ll be a blogger meet up!
Ha Ha, and that meet up will include just you & I haha.
He was only doing 40lbs?! I did 40 yesterday. Girly man. LOL!
Saturday is cheat day – live it up! Soon you’ll be surviving on lean protein and asparagus. No, I’m not bitter…
Haha, that should have been my response. And errrrg, I need a whole cheat day so badly–can’t wait til I switch from just one meal a week. Because I sort of took a day (and a half) anyway…
And pssht, you get four whole days–and less than a week!
After all the effing asparagus, I deserve it! LOL!
Haha, I love it! That happens to me quite often, especially with squats. I love when they look at you, look at their weight, and then scurry off to try and attempt a heavier weight.
We’re just good motivators for guys to work harder, that’s all ;D
Haha! I love beating man at sports. I’m not sure how much I can lift but I’m definitely better then running/ swimming than A LOT of man and I love showing it off! I guess that’s the thing with women and weights, you don’t bulk up that much but you get really strong. I have no clue how you and Laura can follow through with your diet plans. I stuff my face with everything I see after my long runs, so much for the 3:1 carb to protein ratio :S
I do think that’s it! We stay small, but we still stay strong! And following a plan is easy(-er) when I prep everything out, but I DEFINITELY need my less structured days (I prefer that to the term “cheat days”) or I go a bit bonkers.
Haha! I used to prep and plan my meals when I lived on my own, but now my parents eat my food -.- or more like there’s very little space in the fridge
Hope you are safe from hurricane Sandy!
Thanks Tandy–Yup, I’m pretty far inland, but I’m definitely worried about some of my friends in NYC!
I love your balance,I think that is needed to keep you sane. No shame in that. Girl that squash got you! Woof.
Squash is dangerous! Who woulda thought?
I love that story! Honestly, I bet that dude was surprised to see a lady near the weights at all…and then his brain exploded when he saw you pressing. Hell, yeah!
ps – I’m glad you enjoyed your cheat day. You totally deserve it!!!
Hah, yeah, I definitely stand out as being the only lady on the weights floor–except for one regular’s wife, but she just sort of wanders around, looking lost, and doesn’t actually lift anything.
I’m also the only girl in the weight room. My MO is that being the only girl makes doing something even more worthwhile
that gym story cracked me up! that’s awesome! i love watching the men’s faces as i prance around the weights. i think they get impressed no matter how much weight you lift, as long as they can tell you’re dedicated about it and not just doing a couple reps after an hour of cardio.
thinking so much about food can definitely be exhausting. i burnt out last weekend with cooking and prepping meals. i just ate random things in my pantry for two or three days… oops!
Ahh, nothing wrong with randomly emptying out freezers/cabinets/etc–you get some of the most awesomely random food combinations! And yeah, I think the fact that we know what we’re doing at all with weights tends to be impressive on its own!
Hahahahaha this is the most awesome post ever. Way to go showing up that dood! You’re awesome!! I truly don’t know how you manage such a strict diet plan. I would be exhausted after one meal. You and Laura are my clean-eating heroes. Good for you for finding balance! I hope your arm-burn gets better soon girl. That looks serious!
Haha, thanks Carol! And this thing better hurry and heal–why do burns last so long??
Ouch!!!! I burned my finger on LAVA (ok a melted chocolate chip) and it literally hurt then ENTIRE day. So I Feel you.
And nothing wrong with liquid carbs hehe
Ohhh, hot molten chocolate is the worst! It melts INTO you, rather than just being able to pull quickly away from something hot.
Oh man, I can totally house a box/bag of cereal/granola so fast. And peanut butter lol. Way to be getting stronger!
Haha, glad it’s not just me! Granola is dangerous stuff. Or maybe I’m just dangerous around granola…
ahhh love the putting guy to shame! NICE! and yes, you work hard, meals should be enjoyed. No burnout!
Food is definitely something I enjoy, so I need to work on keeping it fun rather than something I feel is an effort!
You’re my idol. You’re totally making me push myself harder at the gym because there is no reason why I shouldn’t be. I’m definitely getting stronger. I just need to get the layer of fat off that’s keeping the definition from showing (that would require cleaning up my eating, which I don’t want to do…:p)
Hot ovens are the bane of my existence. I’ve fogged up my glasses, singed/melted my eyelashes, burned forearms and hands, etc, etc. They really should just create a full body suit that I should wear to keep myself safe. Even then, I usually trip over the dog with the door open. I’ll end up in there someday.
Bring on the cheat days! You’ve earned it. (I’m so not helpful…)
Awww yeah for ladies getting stronger! And yup, it’s always the last little difference that is food vs. fitness, but hey, if you aren’t about to be judged on stage for it, I say food is way more fun
I need a kitchen nanny who will smack my hand away whenever I’m about to touch all the hot and sharp things. Life would be a lot less painful.
That is awesome! I LOVE showing guys up at the gym!! You rock girl!! And yes, balance is soooo important! Otherwise what fun is life?!
I hope your arm is ok! I hope you weren’t drinking that beer when you got that burn? 
Wish the two aligned, then I’d at least have an excuse other than general clumsiness, haha.
Way to put the boys to shame!! Man I bet that felt WICKED!!!
And umm OUCH to that oven battle wound! Hmm you could make up a cooler reason for the burn if anyone asks…like… “oh I was just walking through the Amazon with my machete when a pirhana jumped out of the water and bit me” Sounds legit to me
Haha, I DID think about making up an excuse–but my office knows I’m a complete klutz/knock my water/tea/coffee over regularly, trip over nothing–they wouldn’t buy a cool story ;D
30 lbs? You rock, seriously awesome! I would have loved to see the guy’s reaction next to you
Sorry about the burn, definitely not fun… I hate how burn scabs bubble and burst- it burns [stings?] so bad!
Errgh, I know–plus burns just take so freakin’ long to heal!
Yeah girl! Way to show up the boys.
Guess who is sending you more granola to enjoy?
I CAN’T WAIT! And you better believe I’ll eat it all in one sitting ;D
Hellll yeah you showed up the guy at the gym…best.feeling.ever, eh! It great that you didn’t allow yourself to get completely burned out and instead enjoyed some treats. I’ve noticed that I’ve become a bit more lax with my eating, especially when I’m eating out, but I’m kinda over the days of eating rigidly 24/7…it’s one thing to eat for your physical health, but sometimes we gotta take into account our mental health when we make food choices
!
Exactly! Eating right is great and all, but really, if you want to stay sane, you have to make room for treats and favorites!
Hahaha! I actually laughed out loud at the dude’s comment to you! LOVE.IT! It always feels good to one up a man…I love the look I get from guys whenever I tell them that I change my own oil on a regular basis. Like, it’s not that hard…takes like 15 minutes, but you’d think I just told them I rebuilt the engine or something! Lol
I have my moments, but for the most part, I try to just take my cravings one day at a time. As long as I’m eating clean most of the time, I can keep them in check. Life’s too short not to give in to the occasional indulgence right?
Sorry about your burn, I’ve done that SO many times…I’m a bit clumsy!! Hooray for putting the gym guy to shame!!
I say “all good things in moderation’” so I don’t really limit myself. I just try to eat real, whole food in the right portions with a side of chocolate, sugar, etc every so often. It works for me, and I LOVE that you shamed the guy at the gym. That’s awesome.
My oven hates me too and burns me every chance he gets.